Thursday, October 13, 2011

What is Android? Well, there’s a few reasons why you might be asking yourself that question. The scenario that springs to mind is that you’re out of contract, looking for a new mobile phone and you keep finding these sections on Vodafone, O2 and pals that refer to some kind of smartphone spearheaded by a friendly looking green robot.

Chances are that what you really wanted was an iPhone but soon discovered that it’s well over budget and you’re currently in the market for alternatives. There’s BlackBerrys but somewhere between the business connotations and the steam-rollered mobile phone look, you’ve never quite fancied it. So, is this Android thing a good idea and just what the hell is it anyway?

First let’s make this simple. Android is a mobile OS or operating system. Technically speaking, it’s a software stack, one of whose components is an operating system, but let’s ignore that for the sake of argument. Essentially, it’s the piece of software that runs the show, much like iOS is for the iPhone and Windows is for the majority of laptops out there. For the latter examples, they’re owned and maintained by Apple and Microsoft respectively but in Android’s case - although not to the same extent - it’s all about Google.

Brief HistoryAndroid was first developed in 2003 by Android Inc. which consisted of Nick Sears, Chris White, Rich Miner and Andy Rubin, the last of whom is still in charge of the project today. The idea behind it, in Rubin’s own words, was to create “smarter mobile devices that are more aware of its owner's location and preferences”.

In 2005, obviously impressed by what was going on down the road in Palo Alto, California, Google stepped in to acquire the company, leaving Android Inc. a whole subsidiary within the Internet giant. It wasn’t long before people put two and two together and realised that Google’s arrival into the mobile phone space was soon to come. All the same, the world had to wait until 21 October 2008 for Android to arrive when it launched in the US in conjunction with T-Mobile and HTC on a device known as the HTC Dream or T-Mobile G1 which became the very first Android powered smartphone.

Open Source

Android is what’s known as open source and, to a large degree, that means that its inner workings and machinations are free to for the public to access, view and even tinker with. Now that doesn’t mean that Android phones are the preserve of developers and heavy geeks, and it doesn’t mean that Android phones are complicated to use - far from it - it’s simply a facet of the project in general. So, if you felt like it, you could download yourself a copy of it, write your own bits and pieces in and try to put it on your old Atari ST or what have you. According to the licensing, you couldn’t then plaster your old 16-bit system with the Android and Google logos and trademarks or officially call it an Android device but it would be perfectly legal otherwise.

What you need to know

To say that Android is a cheaper alternative to iPhone OS is unfair but it’s also true. The phones that run it are cheaper and it’s not a million miles away in terms of experience and design. To do it it’s dues, however, Android is also a choice. For a few it might be a second prize option but for most it’s a preference.

Customisation

In keeping with the ethos behind the project, Android does not leave the user at arms’ reach. You can customise the experience by adding whatever kind of wallpaper and widgets you like to the five home screens available on the current version of the software. You can also create and arrange shortcuts to web pages and applications, much as you can the desktop of your computer. On top of that, there’s also the traditional app grid you’d expect to find on most smartphones these days.

Look and feel

As part of the Google licensing, just about all Android phones come complete with four buttons (home, menu, back and search) and multitouch capactive screens for all your pinching and zooming as made famous by the iPhone.

That said, one of the tricky things about the Android experience is that it’s far from uniform from device to device. Rather than become slave to someone else’s software, what many of the hardware manufacturers like to do is put their own custom user interface on top of the basic Android look. Sometimes that’s a good thing and sometimes it’s more of a hindrance than anything else, but if you’d rather avoid the custom UI altogether then the word to look out for in the smartphone field is “Nexus”. The Nexus One and Nexus S phones offer the pure, unadulterated Android experience.

Either way, a custom UI will not keep you from the some of the best features of the system which include tethering over both Wi-Fi and USB, meaning that you can pick up the Internet on your laptop so long as you have your Android phone with you, and the fact that you can use voice entry for every single field anywhere on the phone.

Apps

Like all good smartphones these days, the Android system does allow you to download third party apps. So whether that’s Angry Birds or Bump, you’ll find just about everything on the 200,000-strong Android Market.

While there are a handful of omissions - no Hipstamatic, for example - there are also a good glut of Android-only apps such as Google Gesture Search, which allows you to flick through your phone’s contents by drawing on the screen, and Listen, Google’s podcast service. In fairness, apps tend to come to iPhone first but you’ll certainly find what you’re looking for, or at least a version of it.
Devices

Much like iOS, it’s not just phones where you’ll find Android. There’s also media players out there that use it as their OS as well as, more recently, tablets too. HTC, Samsung and LG, Sony Ericsson and Motorola, to a lesser extent, are some of the major players manufacturing Android devices and you can expect almost all of them out there to carry all the gyros, accelerometers, magnetometers, proximity sensors, light sensors, pressure sensors, GPS and everything else you’d expect to find on a top end piece of kit.

Versions

Much in the same way that Windows has evolved from Windows 3.11 to Windows 95, Windows XP and so on, Google has also released new versions of Android since launch - each for free and each containing new features and bug fixes. The updates are named after a different dessert item alphabetically with the first being Cupcake and the most recent two Gingerbread and Honeycomb. These updates are issued by Android and will come straight to your device over the air via either your operator, which might want to check it first, and possible via your manufacturer as well - especially if your hardware supports a custom UI which will itself need an adjustment in order to fit.

If a delay between the release of a new version and you receiving it is something that bothers you, then a pure Android OS on a handset bought SIM-free is the way to go.

Problems

While there are plenty of reasons to pick an Android device ahead of all the others, they also come with drawbacks as well. Most of these stem from the fact that, unlike with iOS, there are many manufactures out there making lots of different devices for a piece of software made by someone else. In other words, with Google having to combine with HTC, Samsung and all the others, there isn't that that same one company synergy as you get with Apple and its products.

The upshot is that you get an experience that isn’t quite as tight nor quite as reliable. It crashes just a little bit more than iOS and certainly more than BlackBerry. The apps also tend to force close a little more often and sometimes the odd one will not work at all simply because the restrictions on the Android Market are not as stringent and the development sometimes not as strong.

Probably the most serious criticism levelled at Android is often its continued fragmentation. Not all of the devices out there can run all of the apps. That’s largely owing to both the Android version updates and the increase in spec of the newer devices as time goes by. As a result, developers can’t and don’t always keep up with making sure that a phone bought in 2008 running one of the older systems is catered for.

All the same, Android isn't the best selling phone software on the market at the moment for no reason. With over 350,000 new Android phone activations each day, it seems that the world has decided that the positives of this platform by far and away outweigh the negatives.

Check out more from Android Week and head over to our reviews if you're looking for a little buying advice.

Any issue: contact me directly by email, listed in Market “Developer Info”. I cannot help you through anonymous comments

Since this app will ask you for root permissions, be sure you obtain it from a legit source.
Pirated software using superuser are dangerous and can potentially brick or destroy your phone:
Original source is: *******/h3xpMI
You’ll find lot of source code here: github.com/project-voodoo
By buying this app you support an open source project.

Galaxy S LCD: GT-I9003 is not supported because its hardware platform is entirely different.
Galaxy Tab Wifi: SGT-P1010 is not supported either for the same reasons.

Please contact me if the module option behavior is unexpected on any of the device listed here, and also if your device is missing.
As I publish updates very often, enabling auto-updates is recommended.
If the program don’t work for you, contact me for support or a refund via the email address below.

Features are auto-detected, extended controls supported will be displayed (it may differ from the screenshots)

Every new feature uses the abilities of Wolfson Microelectronics WM8994 ultra low power audio codec, without affecting battery life.

Note: When Bass Boost EQ is disabled, signal takes the most direct path and is not processed in any way.

FILESERVE:

Code:

http://www.fileserve.com/file/BGyTfNN/VoodooControlPlus301.rar

FILESONIC:

Code:

http://www.filesonic.com/file/1512333854/VoodooControlPlus301.rar

CheckIn for Facebook Places 3.3.7

Quote:

Current Version:3.3.7

Requires Android:2.1 and up

Size:469KB

V3.3.7 update:

A few minor bug fixes

Check in to Facebook fast, or automatically!

Check into Facebook Places with two quick taps, or check in automatically to places with wifi!

CheckIn opens immediately to a list of nearby places, which you can check in to with just one tap. The official app typically takes seven taps to open, check in, and exit.
Includes an undo button for removing your latest check-in from Facebook.
Add places to your list of favorites for easier access, and so you don’t have to wait for a location fix.
Automatically check into your favorites by turning on auto check-ins. Your device will periodically check your location and check you in when you’re in range of a favorite without you touching your phone.

IMPORTANT: Automatic check-ins only work reliably for places with wifi in range.

Note: Download problems are usually because Google Checkout failed to authorize your card. Email us if you have any trouble with the download, and we’ll make sure it’s fixed.

We respond to all e-mail! Contact us with any issues or questions and we’ll make sure you’re satisfied.

# Fixed (some, hopefully all) issues of losing the last position in the book.
# Added option to prevent rotation when the lock button is pressed.
# Fixed issue of rotation causing the lock button to become unlocked (this is now relevant only if lock button mode is “Buttons”; otherwise rotation is prevented when lock is pressed).
# Improved Goto Dialog behavior.
# Remove common prefixes in chapter names.
# Easier option to save logs to a file (for reporting issues).
# Vibrate when bookmarking from widget.

Akimbo player is the most comprehensive audio book player in the market. It is specifically tailored for audio book formats (M4A, M4B, MP3) and comes equipped with various features such as: identify chapters and covers in all types of books; maintain position and volume per book; partial speed control support (see below); allow numerous ways to change your position (from configurable step button to a go to any position dialog), bookmarks and more

IMPORTANT NOTE: due to the differences in audio capabilities between different Android OS versions and device models, it is recommended you install the trial version before using this application, to ensure that your audio files are playable on your device:

Notable features:
Supports all the major audio book and other audio formats: M4A, M4B (including iPod chaptered books), MP4, MP3, ogg vorbis.
Reads cover images and chapter information from within audio book files.
Parses WMA and FLAC (actual ability to play depends on your device).
Maintain your last position and last set volume level for each book.
Partial play speed control (IMPORTANT: requires purchase of Presto app and is limited to MP3 and OGG formats, will not work on M4B books).
Allows bookmarks for each book.
Configurable step buttons for quick shifts forwards or backwards.
Easy to use go to dialog that will take you instantly to any chapter or position throughout the book.
Home Screen Widget.
Allows a one-click automatic download of covers for any book, or for your entire library at once.
A configurable lock mode, which prevents accidental changes of position during play.
Sleep Timer, pausing play after a specified time.
Loads your entire library at once: offers a one-click scan of any folder tree on your device.
The player screen offers a host of accessibility and experience improving features, including large-font and human voice indication (and approval) for your actions.
Allows undoing and redoing any accidental change in position while listening.
For easy listening to your audiobook without looking at the screen (while engaged in some other action or for the visually impaired) it offers a range of accessibility features (including human voice indications) as well as an option to lock the player against accidental changes.

The player is highly recommended not just for audiobooks, but for any episodic format, such as music albums or podcasts.

A note on permissions:
Internet access is only done at your express request to download covers (it is never launched without a user pressing the download cover button). No personal information is ever sent outside your phone.
Access to your phones state is required to pause the player when a call comes in. No other use of this permission is made.
Writing to the external storage is required if you choose to save the apps data (library, images, etc.) on the SD card, instead of the devices internal storage. No other use of this permission is made.
Battery status and wake lock permissions are used to prevent locking the device (when configured by the user) when playing or when playing while connected to a power source.

# Added restart track when hitting previous at progress of >= 5 seconds.
# Fixed a player to widget update bug when hitting android back button.
# Added multiple widget sizes 3×4,3×5, 3×6 and 3×7 for 3.0 users.
# Added widget vertical resizing on 3.1.
# Added pause on headphone unplug.
# Fixed artist album back navigation on player.
# Fixed a bug where back navigation on player wouldn’t go back to first item selected.
# Fixed a bug with exiting using back navigation on player.
# Back navigation on player fixed.

Hive Player is a music player optimized for Honeycomb tablets. It supports many of the features of the built in player but also includes a few things that have been lacking in most players across Android versions.

Features:
-Scrollable widget with music collection navigation (Albums,Artists,All Songs,Playlists,Genres), shuffle, pause/play next and previous.
-Widget and Player sync with each other – view an album in the widget, then in the player the same album is loaded. Every navigation and song play is synced to each other – even when only the widget or player is running, load the other and it will sync on startup.
-Play and navigate music library using just the widget – player doesn’t even need to be loaded or running.
-Navigate back through navigation steps using back button on player or widget – uses the standard Android back button on Honeycomb.
-Albums,Artists,All Songs,Playlists,Genres are displayed on the left and player controls on the right.
-Multi-Select playlist additions – build a playlist as it should be done, not one song at a time – add multiple albums, artists, genres, songs and even current playlists to a playlist.
-Duplicates are filtered out when adding to playlists.
-Search with playlist additions – search and keep searching as you build the ultimate playlist. Search appears over player.
Google Music / Music Beta support will be added in the future. Currently Google is not allowing or releasing details to developers to put Music Beta functionality into their music players. Once Google releases these details I will add Google Music support to Hive Player.

Amazon music streaming service is also planned, depending on how Amazon is supporting third party developers access to their service as well.
Known Issues -
-Create new playlist not working yet.
-Remove from playlist not working properly (remove from playlist is long press on playlist item).
-Songs are sorted alphabetically, instead of by track.
-Hive Player uses the android media library, as such new songs especially not in the default android music folder for your device may not show up immediately or at all. Hive Player will include support for adding individual files and folders in the next update.

These bugs are being worked on and an update will be pushed in a few days.

Licensing:
There are a few questions/concerns regarding the licensing not working properly when purchasing Hive Player. If you are getting messages that you need to purchase Hive Player, please force close all instances of Hive Player, remove the widget. Make sure you are connected to the internet (wifi or cellular data) open a website to confirm connectivity and make sure the site comes up. Then reload Hive Player and it should work fine.

Development and testing was done on a Motorola Xoom Wifi with Android Honeycomb 3.0/3.1.

I plan on continuing work on Hive Player with regular updates with new features and bug fixes. If you have any issues or find any bugs please email me at nfalletta@gmail.com with a full description and I will fix the problem as soon as possible.

Thanks for downloading Hive Player, I hope you enjoy it.

FILESONIC:

Code:

http://www.filesonic.com/file/1512375414/HivePlayer102.rar

FILESERVE:

Code:

http://www.fileserve.com/file/dax3mMG/HivePlayer102.rar

Wine + List, Ratings & Cellar 1.60

Quote:

Current Version:1.60

Requires Android:1.6 and up

Size:726KB

V1.60 update:

# Added thumbnail of photo on main list(!)
# Added fields for “Drink By” and “Location” (in cellar)
# Can now search by Year
# Added sort by price and Drink By
# Pick Random Wine feature
# Added CHF and R$ to currencies

Track your wine notes, ratings & cellar inventory.

Wine lovers, keep track of your wine notes the next time that you try a new wine at a restaurant, while wine tasting or at home. Manage the wines stored in your wine cellar.

Keep a history of your favorite wines for the next time that you’re out shopping.

Keep track of your wine collection along with your tasting notes and ratings, which you can share with others or keep private.

Read wine reviews that others have shared in our wine community.

FEATURES
Use the Bulk Bar Code Scan option to enter your wines by quickly scanning the barcodes on your wine bottles with your phone’s camera.

Take a picture with your phone’s camera of the wine bottle label to help you remember your favorite wines.

Export your wine collection info in CSV format and save it to your phone’s SD Card or email it to yourself.

Backup your wine collection info to the server. If you lose your phone or upgrade to a new phone, just import your collection to the new phone so you don’t have to re-enter everything.

Track statistics about your Wines like Total Number of Wines Tracked, Average Rating, Most Number of Bottles in Cellar, Number of Wines Tracked by Varietal, Total Value of Wine Cellar.
Recent Changes
- Added thumbnail of photo on main list
- Added fields for “Drink By” and “Location” (in cellar)
- Can now search by Year
- Added sort by price and Drink By
- Pick Random Wine feature
- Added CHF and R$ to currencies